Lideranças Femininas nos Programas de Medicina de Emergência do Brasil

Uma Análise sobre a Percepção do Preconceito de Gênero

Abstract

Introduction: There is longstanding gender inequality in our society. Despite growing feminization of medicine in Brazil, important asymmetries remain. Emergency Medicine is a recently recognized medical residency program in Brazil and there are no data on the perceptions of female doctors regarding these forms of inequality in their practice. Methods: The aim of this study was to analyze the demographic profile of and perceptions of gender bias among female leadership in Emergency Medicine in Brazil. A cross-sectional mixed-methods study was conducted. This research was conducted through online surveys sent to female coordinators of Medical Residency Programs across Brazil. Data were analyzed anonymously. Results: Nineteen coordinators participated in our study and several challenges were discussed, such as high domestic burden (57.9%) and experiences of violence in the workplace (73.7%). Qualitative analysis included 13 spontaneous reports about personal violence episodes, which were classified according to perpetrators and content of violence episodes. Discussion: Women are underrepresented in Emergency Medicine, accounting for only 30% of emergency physicians in Brazil. Reports of gender bias and harassment were analyzed through the lenses of gender technologies. Cultural norms undeniably affect women’s practice, ascribing women to gender stereotypes and influencing professional recognition. Conclusion: Data collection about female leadership in Emergency Medicine is crucial to understanding the characteristics and challenges of this medical specialty. New studies are needed for full inclusion of women in Emergency Medicine in Brazil.